Canada To Close Bosnian Embassy

SARAJEVO -- Canada has informed the Bosnian Presidency and Foreign Ministry about the impending closure of its embassy in Sarajevo for financial reasons.

After the closure, Ottawa will handle all diplomatic affairs with Bosnia-Herzegovina through its embassy in Budapest, and will consider establishing a consulate in Sarajevo.

Canada's ambassador to Bosnia-Herzegovina, David Hutchings, told RFE/RL's South Slavic and Albanian Languages Service that "we can continue to be effective and provide programs, but reduce costs and consolidate our activities."

He cited the closure of other Canadian missions around the world while noting the opening of new ones in China, India, Brazil, and Mexico.

Hutchings added that despite the closure, "we are not abandoning Bosnia."

Canada's official note about the closure gave no date for the implementation of the decision.